Iceland’s Most Visited Ice Caves

If you are one of those who seek to get lost in unique landscapes with an almost supernatural aspect, pay attention. We are going to visit two of the most impressive ice caves in Iceland. There are several caves of this type that can be explored during different times of the year in the country, but these that we are going to see are among the most valued by travelers.

In addition, visiting the ice caves of Iceland is an incentive to go on trekking routes through the glaciers. Similarly, it is important to note that ice caves are constantly changing due to their formation process. These are the result of the water that melts in the different points of the glaciers, forming cavities of great beauty.

Iceland Ice Caves: Skaftafell

Skaftafell Ice Cave is in Iceland’s second largest national park, which is named after it. Here we can see how the impact of the Grímsvötn volcano and the force of the water from rivers such as the Skeydara have shaped a place of unparalleled beauty.

This is one of the most visited ice caves in Iceland. As we have already mentioned, it is nothing more than the result of the thaw. Here, within this kind of natural ice bubble, we will be able to witness the incidence of the sun’s rays on the surface. This is how you get that fantasy look where the ice changes color, going from dark to bluish tones.

Skaftafell Cave, also known as the Blue Ice Cave, is located on the Svínafellsjökull glacier. This ice has been forming on the top of the glacier for many centuries. Its coloration is nothing more than the product of the gradual loss of air between the layers that, finally, gives them this blue color.

In the same way that most visitors enjoy the visual spectacle, it should also be mentioned that the crunching of the ice sheets is quite characteristic. All these elements make the cave a unique and truly impressive environment. Skaftafell Ice Cave can only be visited in winter.

Katla, another of Iceland’s ice caves

This is located in southern Iceland, on the Myrdalsjokull glacier. Thanks to the constant thaw in summer, Katla’s ice caves change every day. In addition, trips to Iceland at this time are cheaper, so many tourists choose to visit the caves during the summer.

During the tour of the Katla cave it is natural to feel the continuous dripping of the water that melts over our heads. Even small streams of water are created that come from the top of the glacier. This cave was discovered recently, in the year 2017. 

Like Skaftafell Cave, it is located on an active volcano. In the same way, we can also enjoy the color changes inside the cave thanks to the sunlight. In fact, being summer it will be much easier to find unique shades ranging from purple to black.

One detail to keep in mind is that the ice age also influences its coloration. The white color will be that of the most recent snow, while the black will be the one created by mixing with the volcano ash that has been trapped in the glacier.

Practical tips for the visit

The easiest way to travel to most of Iceland’s ice caves is to take a road trip from Reykjavik. The trip, of about five hours, must be planned in advance because we depend on inclement weather. Being cautious and visiting the area with days of margin saves you upset.

In the same way, it is advisable to hire one of the available excursions, since they offer extra material to make the way to the glaciers. To get to the caves, the normal thing is to do a trekking route . Consulting the guides to know what type of physical requirements are needed or if it is a certificate for all types of ages will also be of help.

Finally, it is essential to include warm clothing in the suitcase such as thermal tights, ski pants and waterproof clothing, as well as footwear to protect our feet from the cold of possible ankle sprains during the walk through the glacier.